It's very hard to find any recording of Akira Ikufube's compositions outside of the Gojira/Godzilla soundtrack collections. Nearly all of these recordings are out of print in Japan where they had limited releases. His atmospheric additions to many Japanese movies make the mystery of his work outside the film industry all the more tantalizing. This recording will serve to fill some of the missing pieces. The Russian musicians are more than up to the task and the performance is excellent. For those familiar with Ikufube's work for film will find much to enjoy here as several themes are incorporated into the Sinfonia Tapkaara. It has a resemblance to Ikufube's soundtrack to the animated film, "Wanpaku" which I suggest everyone to seek out. The Ritmica Ostinata has a similarity to Michael Nyman's post Greenaway orchestral pieces and while that is not against it, it is the weakest piece presented. The Symphonic Fantasia is a reworking of Ikufuke's longer Godzilla Fantasia Symphony which weaves many of the his film themes into a coherent piece. Since the longer piece is unavailable this is a treat to all who enjoy his Godzilla themes.

Most Americans know Akira Ifukube, if at all, for his work on the soundtracks of Godzilla and its sequels, but he had a long career as an educator and prolific composer for the concert hall and for films. This album has some great examples of his work. The track for the Godzilla fans is "Symphonic Fantasia No. 1", a suite of themes from the Toho giant monster films. Ritmica Ositnata alternates fast and slow passages, using "the piano as a percussion instrument." The "tapkaara" of the Sinfonia Tapkaara is a ritual dance of the Ainu of Hokkaido, and the piece captures both a rhythmic dance and a pastoral feel of that island.

We will never forget you Akira ifukube